Transmigrated to the Northern Song Dynasty as a County Magistrate (GL) - Chapter 25

25: Night Journey to Bamboo Garden Estate

Watching Zhou Ba’s retreating figure, Tian Qingyi felt immense satisfaction. She had accomplished what even the original host couldn’t – removing a major obstacle. The sense of achievement was overwhelming.

Yun Jingchu stood frozen for several seconds, astonished by this turn of events. To actually resign on the spot – since when were Jiufang family servants so bold?

The servant returned to report the carriage was ready. With her maids having packed the essentials, Yun Jingchu took her leave: “Don’t worry. Zhou Ba has probably returned to Kaifeng. Your father will handle it. I’m going to the Bamboo Garden Estate now – you should rest.”

“Father” here refers to the father-in-law. Since Zhou Ba was loyal to Jiufang Xin, leaving could only mean returning to Kaifeng to report. Given Jiufang Xin’s shrewdness, Zhou Ba might not easily gain release.

“Alright, travel safely. Remember to take enough people,” Tian Qingyi personally saw Yun Jingchu at the gate of Houze Garden.

After Yun Jingchu departed, Tian Qingyi’s thoughts wandered. Where was Yun Jingchu now? Why did the tenant farmers insist on seeing her and withdrawing their leases? Could Yun Jingchu resolve this smoothly? She also pondered Zhou Ba’s situation – would Jiufang Xin write to reprimand her?

During his official postings, Jiufang Xin would invariably send letters chastising any mistakes made by Jiufang Qiyu or the original host. These letters contained nothing but reproach without a single vulgar word.

The original host had never taken these meaningless punitive lectures to heart – after all, Jiufang Xin wasn’t his biological father. The only one truly suffering was Jiufang Qiyu, who feared Jiufang Xin like a tiger.

To Tian Qingyi, Jiufang Xin’s scoldings were even more inconsequential. If she couldn’t let them go in one ear and out the other, she’d be disrespecting herself. If truly provoked, she would simply leave upon returning.

After bathing, dining alone, and having Qingyu re-tie her hair, night had fallen. Yun Jingchu, who had promised to return before dark, was still absent, stirring worry in Tian Qingyi.

Gradually losing interest in the unofficial histories she’d brought to pass time at the ancestral home – having nearly finished one volume already – she turned to painting to calm her restless mind. By the time she completed a simple black-and-white landscape, another hour had passed with no sign of Yun Jingchu.

Deciding she couldn’t wait idly any longer, Tian Qingyi headed out while ordering servants to prepare horses and torches.

Midway, realizing her limited manpower would be inadequate in an emergency, she diverted to Jiufang Lai’s quarters. She found him lecturing his son while his wife tried to mediate, the boy looking thoroughly impatient.

If the original host’s memory served, this aunt was remarried – having divorced her first husband after failing to conceive in three years, then bearing three daughters and a son after marrying Jiufang Lai.

In those days before the family’s rise, though much younger than Jiufang Xin, the academically untalented Jiufang Lai had reached marriageable age. With family funds prioritized for Jiufang Xin’s education, his parents arranged this economical match. After prospering, Jiufang Lai took several concubines who bore him three more children.

The Jiufang family’s preference for legitimate over illegitimate offspring was systemic. While monthly allowances appeared equal, resource allocation and affection differed drastically. For instance, this lectured youth had received the same official sinecure (Third Class Attendant) as the original host – as had two other grandsons from uncles closely related to Jiufang Xin’s branch.

Noticing Tian Qingyi, Jiufang Lai immediately approached, allowing his son to escape and his wife to retreat inside. After exchanging greetings, Tian Qingyi stated her purpose, but Jiufang Lai seemed more concerned about her health, repeatedly verifying her condition before relaxing.

He knew of Yun Jingchu’s afternoon departure. That she would leave while her husband was unwell displeased him, making him doubt whether his elder brother’s praise of this daughter-in-law was warranted.

But as this was his elder brother’s household matter, and his nephew seemed to value his wife, Jiufang Lai held his tongue. As for Zhou Ba’s absence, he assumed it was for some errand, giving it no further thought.

Now seeing how anxiously his nephew sought help to retrieve a slightly delayed wife, he felt confirmed in his assessment – if this didn’t count as devotion, then his own treatment of his wife was downright neglectful.

Recognizing his nephew’s urgency, Jiufang Lai immediately had Steward Yang make arrangements. After offering reassurances, he suggested his son accompany them, but Tian Qingyi politely declined – she had no patience for rebellious adolescents.

Reaching the main gate, she found Wei Shier dozing on the steps. A deliberate cough startled the lightly sleeping servant, who hurriedly bowed upon recognizing the Second Young Master.

The servants at Houze Garden that afternoon could guess the consequences of Zhou Ba’s departure – he had left with packed belongings – but none dared comment or inquire, Wei Shier included.

Before Tian Qingyi could speak much with Wei Shier, her remaining servants emerged with torches, followed by a groom leading a horse. Seeing insufficient lighting, she sent for more torches.

Before the extra torches arrived, Steward Yang appeared with twenty servants. Though their faces were indistinct, their sturdy builds were evident. Six carried podao swords, the rest long wooden staves.

Jiufang family guards were hierarchically divided. Higher-status professional guards carried either podaos or staves – podao bearers being more senior, serving either as personal guards or squad leaders. That Jiufang Lai sent six podao-wielders showed his regard.

Steward Yang bowed: “Second Young Master, here are the men you requested. Fearing you might not know the way, I’ve specially included someone familiar with local routes.” He gestured to a dark-skinned, muscular middle-aged man who stepped forward to bow.

Satisfied, Tian Qingyi said, “Thank you, Steward Yang. We may return by dawn at latest. If I don’t come back tonight, please inform my Third Uncle and Aunt.”

As Steward Yang assented, the servant returned with additional torches, and Tian Qingyi departed with Wei Shier’s group.

The daytime warmth (requiring four layers to feel comfortable) had deceived Tian Qingyi into forgetting the evening chill. Only after riding some distance did the cold penetrate, especially when wind cut through her. She longed for a military overcoat, but only cloaks and capes existed here – neither of which she’d brought. Turning back now was impractical, as was purchasing anything in this wilderness.

While she suffered on horseback, Wei Shier and the others grew warmer from walking. Fortunately, Steward Yang’s guide proved reliable, preventing them from getting lost in the darkness. When Tian Qingyi’s worried party finally reached Bamboo Garden Estate’s gates, it was already the second night watch (9-11 PM).

The weary Wei Shier eagerly knocked. After a pause, the gate opened just enough to reveal an aged, unfamiliar face. “Who are you? What do you want?” the man asked impatiently.

Wei Shier nearly laughed angrily. Were the Second Young Master not watching, he’d have cursed this fool blue in the face. After their long trek on foot (only the master rode), this was their reception?

“Who I am doesn’t matter,” he said through gritted teeth. “What matters is who our Second Young Master is – Official Jiufang, the Second Young Master of the Jiufang family. Do you understand?” The man looked utterly blank before shaking his head, hands still gripping the gate warily as if expecting a forced entry.

Wei Shier nearly exploded. He longed to smash this idiot’s head open to see if it contained only water. His hand twitched forward before he restrained himself, deciding to be direct: “We’re here to see the Fourth Miss of the Yun family. I’m Wei Shier. That’s our Second Young Master behind me. Kindly announce us.”

“Oh! Here to see the master! Why didn’t you say so earlier? Wait here – I’ll inform them.” The gatekeeper’s confusion cleared, though his wariness remained. By torchlight, he swiftly closed the gate again.

Having dismounted and approached, Tian Qingyi frowned at the reclosed gate. Wei Shier hurried to explain, omitting his own earlier verbosity.

Experiencing gatekeeper delays for the first time, Tian Qingyi maintained composure while freezing. However, the estate’s peaceful atmosphere greatly reassured her.

Soon the gate reopened to reveal Baoqin and the same man, now markedly more polite. Bowing awkwardly, he said, “This lowly one was blind not to recognize the Great Official as our master’s husband. I beg your forgiveness.”

Baoqin added, “The Fourth Miss has retired but instructed me to receive you. This man is unlearned in manners. If he offended, the Second Young Master may punish him.”

“No ceremony needed. No harm in ignorance. His vigilance is commendable – no punishment required,” Tian Qingyi said, relieved to hear Yun Jingchu was resting.

“Thank you, Great Official,” the gatekeeper exhaled. Hearing nobles were difficult to serve, he’d panicked upon learning this was not just a ranking scholar but their master’s husband. Now he saw rumors weren’t entirely true – at least these masters seemed decent.

With Yun Jingchu already abed, returning was impractical. Tian Qingyi wouldn’t dream of dragging her from sleep anyway. Having informed Steward Yang, she decided to stay the night and instructed Baoqin to arrange quarters for Wei Shier’s group.

Seeing over twenty armed men, Baoqin was both shocked and concerned. After consideration, she whispered to the gatekeeper, who then led Wei Shier’s party away.

As Baoqin led the way with a lantern, the now-relaxed Tian Qingyi observed their surroundings. The darkness limited visibility beyond the stone lantern-lit courtyard. The irregular flagstone path contrasted with the ancestral home’s formality, suggesting a more casual aesthetic.

Tian Qingyi particularly admired classical Chinese gardens – exquisitely crafted, ingeniously designed to recreate natural landscapes in harmony with architecture, achieving “unity of heaven and man.”

The Jiufang residence in Kaifeng followed this style. Though far smaller than Suzhou gardens, it contained all essential elements. She resolved to draft its layout before leaving Kaifeng. By comparison, Jiufang Lai’s ancestral home design disappointed – a haphazard waste of space and funds.

Though unable to fully appreciate Bamboo Garden Estate at night, what she saw intrigued her. She looked forward to daylight.

Walking in silence, Tian Qingyi suddenly remembered Yun Jingchu was asleep. “Baoqin, since Yongnian is resting, I won’t disturb her. Just assign me any available room.”

Baoqin’s smile became irrepressible. Both she and Yun Jingchu had been pleasantly surprised by the Second Young Master’s nighttime journey. Even without Yun Jingchu’s instruction, she would have welcomed him gladly – especially after seeing the twenty-strong escort.

She even wondered if Madame Yun’s spirit had blessed her daughter with such a good husband, letting her imagination run wild.

“Second Young Master, the Fourth Miss is merely slightly unwell, not actually asleep,” Baoqin replied, continuing ahead. Seeing only part of the picture, she dearly hoped her master and mistress could remain this close, hence her minor disobedience to Yun Jingchu’s orders.

Tian Qingyi frowned. Yun Jingchu had been fine when leaving that afternoon – what could have happened at the estate to make her unwell by evening?